By Aaron Stredny, Mountain Peak Fitness
The Escarpment Trail Run, though not a marathon or ultra distance is a multi-mountain race of complicated length and scrupulous strategy. It is short enough at 17’ish miles that you feel you should be able to push your legs and lungs hard the whole way. However, beware, if you push too hard on the long climbs or precipitous descents you may suffer the burly wrath of Manitou via a trembling series of muscle seizures more commonly referred to in the field as “Not-Now- Son-of-a-#$@!%^%$#*$#!” This for me usually happens somewhere on or after the Stoppel Point climb and is determined by my, to date, poor decision making tactics in the jagged miles before. It is a race rich in history and for a beast coast trail runner, an absolute bucket list event.
This 42nd Annual Escarpment Trail Run would be my third time lining up against Manitou. Race morning arrived clear in the craggy, weathered Catskill Mountains of upstate NY with keen anticipation, big smiles, hugs and high-fives all around the bustling start area as a large contingent of the MPF/RNR fam was in attendance. After chatting with a few familiar and surprise faces I said hello to the RD and had a short but decisive conversation which led to a last minute, surprise move for me into the much coveted Wave #1. Not to be dramatic, but since my first Escarpment, I’ve daydreamed in training of starting amongst Wave 1.
Though a little unsure seeing the caliber of competitors this year, this was the wave I wanted to race from, feeling that to run with the best would bring out mine. I like the simple concept of trail racing, you just show up and go to work. It is a welcome respite from the more burdened work week, the regimented training sessions and of course a chance to see how those specific suffer bouts are panning out. It is straightforward, your individual effort today will be the apex of what you can do.
8:58 am. Wave #1. A wily aggregate of speedy road runners and burly mountain specialists each with their respective strengths was called across the road to the rock-strewn singletrack funnel where Dick said we had only a few moments but in fine fashion Matt Lipsey was able to fit in a lightning quick bear joke, unfortunately resulting in absolute crickets. Dick took pity on the joker and his audience and abruptly counted down 5,4,3,2,1, GO! And sent us off to do our own individual combat with Manitou.
After running 3:14 last year, I had memorized 4 splits for the day to try and meet or beat: Windham in 37:00, Blackhead 1:42, Stoppel Point 2:34 and the Finish Line at North-South Lake 3:09). Although, it’s funny the only one I remembered during the battle was Blackhead, you’re simply too busy the whole effort trying to be fast, efficient, eat, drink and not fall on your face to remember any minutiae.
Climbing somewhere around 10th or 11th place on the first ascent up Windham High Peak it all felt terribly hard compared to how I trained but after reaching the summit in 37:00 flat, I quickly refocused on bombing down the bumpy but very runnable backside heading towards Burnt Knob and Acra Point. I was feeling much better now being warmed up, taking downhill switchbacks like a sidewinder and shifting into striped gazelle on the flatter singletrack sections. The effort felt great and sustainable and I celebrated by cramming a delicious (shut up, just tell yourself it’s delicious) gel into my calorie burning furnace, Mmmmm.
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